Willie Mullins was on the mark again at Punchestown but Palace Merano was something of a shock winner in the Stephens Green Hibernian Club Handicap Chase.

The 25/1 shot came into the race on the back of a poor season but bounced right back to his best to run out a good winner under Davy Condon.

He was produced with a well-timed run to lead at the last and go on for a length-and-three-quarters success over long-time leader Ameretto Son

"I'm delighted. We came here more in hope than expectation with him," admitted Mullins after greeting his eighth winner of the week.

"Maybe it's the ground that's turned him inside out. I thought the two of them (Pomme Tiepy finished 4th) wanted soft ground but maybe they are fed up with it soft and appreciate a bit better ground at this stage of their careers.

"That saved the both of them from the sales and we'll continue to race both if we can find races long enough."